--Our History--

In 1969, a foreign woman married to a Japanese, Joan Itoh, was looking for other foreign wives of Japanese. A Japan Times newspaper columnist, Jean Pearce, became instrumental in the creation of AFWJ when she mentioned two separate times in her column about the first get together on September 7, 1969 at the Tokyo American Club. Her third column announced that the meeting was a success.

From the first meeting to the present day, AFWJ has been a source of friendship and support for its members. The Association of Foreign Wives has grown to over 650 members from more than 50 countries. Members are located in National Districts throughout Japan and Overseas. There are active members in the following Districts: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Hokuriku, Chubu-Tokai, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu (including Okinawa), and Overseas. Throughout the year, all Districts hold a variety of activities. Some National Districts hold meetings in Local Chapters.

Some Dates of Importance:

• First meeting, Tokyo American Club – September 7, 1969
• Kansai District established – 1970
• Kanto District Luncheons began – 1970
• Panel discussion by Senior Members who were married before WWII – 1970
• Visit to founder Joan Itoh’s home in Niigata – 1970
• National Newsletter (bimonthly) established – 1970
• Discussion group, Tokyo – 1971-75
• First Christmas party, Tokyo – 1971
• AFWJ name chosen – 1971
• Chubu-Tokai District established – 1971
• Group trip to Kyoto by Kanto, Kansai and Chubu-Tokai districts – 1971
• First National Convention in Odawara – 1973
• 50th issue of the National Newsletter published – 1974
• First Constitution – 1974
• Joan Itoh (founder) elected first President – 1975
• Annual national convention established – 1975
• Official logo adopted – 1976
• The Five Seasons (literary magazine) published– 1977-78
• First annual Membership Directory published – 1978
• The National Newsletter became bound magazine – 1978
• 10th Anniversary Celebration, Tokyo American Club – 1979
• Memories: 10 Years (self-introductions) published– 1979
• First talent show at a convention, Nagoya – 1980
• First paid ads in National Newsletter – 1981
• First mini-convention, Kyushu – 1982
• First three-day convention, Nagoya – 1983
• New AFWJ Constitution established 11 Districts – 1984
• 15th Anniversary Celebration, Tokyo American Club – 1984
• Kyushu District activated – 1985
• Hokkaido District activated – 1985
• Seminar Series, Tokyo – 1985-86
• National Newsletter became AFWJ Journal – 1986
• Mini-convention, Hokkaido – 1987
• 20th Anniversary Celebration, Tokyo American Club – 1989
• Memories: 20 Years (self-introductions) published– 1989
• 25th Anniversary Celebration, Tokyo American Club – 1994
• Silver Linings (anthology) published – 1994
• Bridges to Cross (English textbook) published – 1994
• Shikoku District activated – 1996
• Haruka Naru Nami no Oto (video) – 1996
• First family camp – 1997
• First spiritual retreat – 1997
• Tohoku District activated – 1998
• For Beautiful Lawful Life (legal handbook) published – 1998
• Mother Tongues (bilingualism handbook) published – 1998
• 2001 Cooking Odyssey (cookbook) published – 2001
• There Is A Way: Caring and Coping in Japan (crisis handbook) published – 2002
• AFWJ.org website goes online – 2003
• 35th Anniversary Celebration, Tokyo American Club – 2004